The cenotes in Yucatan are one of the main natural attractions of Mexico. Together with the Mayan ruins and pyramids, and with the Caribbean Sea best beaches, they make of Yucatan an unmissable destination during a trip to Mexico.
Swimming in the cenotes in Yucatan is a unique experience that we recommend to everyone! The activity is suitable for every type of traveler, you just have to choose the right cenote.
WHAT IS A CENOTE?
The term “cenote“, which derives from the Mayan word tsʼonoʼot, indicates a basin of fresh water accessible underground.
In fact, Yucatan is a unique territory in the world where there are no rivers or lakes on the surface, but all the fresh water flows in a complex system of caves and underground channels. A historically precious source since the times of the Maya, who in fact considered the cenotes as “sacred pools”.
Although scholars have proved that the gigantic Chicxulub meteorite that contributed to the extinction of terrestrial dinosaurs about 65 million years ago hit exactly Yucatan, the cenote cavities are not a direct consequence of the impact.
The cenotes known today in Mexico were formed more recently, “just” a few hundred thousand years ago. Technically, cenotes in Yucatan are formed when the layer of weak and porous limestone rock collapses due to water infiltration, revealing the underground basin. However, there are also cenotes that are not yet revealed to the outside and are completely underground.
HOW DO YOU ENTER A CENOTE?
Nowadays, man-made stairways are built to facilitate entry into the cenotes. Depending on the accessibility of the cenote, stairs can be more or less steep, spiral or horseshoe shaped, in order to get down to the water level underground.
In fact, some cenotes can be found up to 15-20 metres below ground level.
Inside the cenotes there are often wooden platforms with ladders to facilitate access to the water. Some cenotes have ropes for acrobatic jumps, and in the less touristy places you’ll find local kids competing for the most daring dives.
TYPES OF CENOTES IN YUCATAN
There are different types of cenotes, usually circular in shape, with various dimensions and characteristics. Some may be more adventurous with ropes and platforms for diving, while other cater to children and families, with steps to easily enter and exit the water.
The most stunning cenotes are those with a partial opening at the top, which allows the sun rays to illuminate the cave in a natural way, creating spectacular plays of light.
Others are completely open and without any cover, there may be tree roots and vines dangling around the circumference.
Lastly, there are underground cenotes, illuminated by artificial lights and ventilated by fans and air conditioning.
MAP OF CENOTES IN YUCATAN – MEXICO
We chose to skip some more touristy and expensive cenotes, looking for more authentic experiences. In this map we list 12 of the best cenotes in the Yucatan peninsula, famous or less known, by area of interest.
A rental car is ideal to explore Yucatan and look for cenotes on your own. Check rental options in Mexico here.
Read our Complete 2-week itinerary to Yucatan to plan your trip to the remotest areas of Yucatan Peninsula.
CENOTES IN QUINTANA ROO
Let’s start from the cenotes closest to the popular area of the Riviera Maya, i.e. the cenotes within the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.
ALSO READ: 7-day itinerary to Riviera Maya, Yucatan
1. CENOTE AZUL
The beautiful Cenote Azul is an open-air cenote located halfway between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum. Cenote Azul is famous for its crystal clear blue waters from which it takes its name.
Given its location and morphology it is very popular among families with children. In fact Cenote Azul has several levels with shallow water, and a safe platform for diving. The area is suitable for people of all ages, so you can imagine why it is very popular.
Cenote Azul is located 20 minutes from Playa del Carmen, 30 from Tulum. It can also be reached by public transport, taking a collectivo mini-van for around 40 pesos (ask the driver for the right stop).
CENOTE AZUL TICKET COST: 150 pesos per adult (as of 2024), the price includes the mandatory life jacket rental. You can also rent snorkeling equipment for 100 pesos. In the most touristy cenotes the use of a life jacket is made mandatory (and subject to payment) for safety reasons.
2. CENOTE DOS OJOS
Dos Ojos is probably the most famous cenote in the Riviera Maya, an excursion that many hotels and tour operators offer in the area.
It is part of the world’s largest underwater cave system, known as Sac Actun. The caves are estimated to extend for over 350 kilometres!
Dos Ojos owes its name to the large cavities on the surface that resemble two eyes. They are connected by a 400-metre-long underwater passage. It really is a diver’s paradise, which allows to explore the underwater world between the two “eyes”.
This cenote is also accessible for shorter swims and snorkelling, but the entry price is high given its popularity.
Dos Ojos is hidden inland and not easy to access without a car. Guided tours will take you straight to your destination, otherwise collectivos will leave you about 2km from it, where the dirt road begins. From there, you must continue on foot, rent a bicycle, or hitchhike!
DOS OJOS TICKET COST: 350 pesos (€19) for access, plus any equipment rental.
3. CENOTE CALAVERA
Cenote Calavera is different from the others due to its access point. Simply put, there are a couple of small openings in the ground into which a ladder has been lowered, leading directly into the water.
Given its small size and lack of areas to rest between dives, a visit to Cenote Calavera only takes about half an hour. In one of the two openings there is also a rope that can be used as a swing. Be careful because the rocks around the cenote can be sharp, better wear snorkelling shoes if you have them.
Cenote Calavera is very close to Tulum, reachable in a few minutes by car or taxi (100 pesos).
CENOTE CALAVERA TICKET COST: 250 pesos.
4-5-6. THE THREE CENOTES AT COBA
Let’s move away from the Riviera Maya to escape the inflated prices. Close to the majestic Coba archaeological site, here’s a small group of 3 very fascinating cenotes. Choo Ha, Tankach Ha, Multum Ha.
These are underground cenotes, in particular Multun-Ha is completely indoors, artificially illuminated and ventilated. We came here at lunchtime after visiting Coba, and found few other visitors, enjoying the beautiful cenotes in tranquility.
Multun-Ha is almost a perfect circle, with a nice central wooden platform, located slightly further away and less frequented. Choo-Ha and Tankach-Ha are close to each other and more visited. They are larger caves with wonderful stalactites. We recommend Multun-Ha for fewer people, and Choo-Ha for easier access to water, suitable for groups and families.
From Coba it takes 15 minutes by car to the 3 cenotes, we suggest visiting independently or taking a tour of the Coba ruins together with its cenotes.
TICKET COST FOR 3 COBA CENOTES: 100 pesos each (life jacket not mandatory as of 2024).
BONUS – RIO SECRETO
Before leaving Quintana Roo, we mention Rio Secreto despite it not being a cenote, as it was an underground excursion that we enjoyed.
Rio Secreto is a network of underground caves and rivers that extends for over 40 kilometres. At the moment only a small part of the caves are accessible, but it’s more than enough to admire its stunning caves full of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as its crystal clear waters.
RIO SECRETO TICKET COST: The cost of tours to Rio Secreto starts from €80, and includes transport and equipment for the excursion, which is quite adventurous and must be experienced in safety with the knowledgeable local guides.
CENOTES IN YUCATAN – CLOSE TO CHICHEN ITZA
Crossing the border you get to the state of Yucatan. Let’s see some of the most interesting cenotes around Chichen Itza and Valladolid.
7. CENOTE IK-KIL
Ik-Kil is the closest cenote to the UNESCO Chichen Itza site, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your point of view. Its location is great, just five kilometers from one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, making it perfect for cooling off after visiting Chichen Itza.
This cenote is a large natural open-air pool, where tree roots and vines hang from the top, covering the sides until touching the water. Ik-Kil is almost perfectly circular and has an internal staircase allowing easy access.
No doubt Ik-Kil will be busy and will give you a more commercial experience than other cenotes inland. Here you’ll also find restaurants, lockers, showers, shops, souvenirs, etc. But all of this can also be handy after a long day in the sun.
We recommend this Chichen Itza tour with hotel pickup which includes a visit to Chichen Itza, the Ik-Kil cenote, lunch, plus free time in nearby Valladolid. Alternatively a collectivo van will take you to the cenote for 20 pesos from Chichen Itza.
IK-KIL TICKET COST: 180 pesos (including lockers and life jacket). Ticket with buffet lunch available for 400 pesos. Free parking.
8. CENOTE SUYTUN
Moving towards the Pueblo Magico of Valladolid, we find Cenote Suytun, one of the most beautiful cenotes in central Yucatan. Suytun has become particularly famous thanks to Instagram in recent years, where you can see tons of beautiful photos in which the sun rays hit the platform in the centre of the cenote, in an almost divine way.
Suytun is the perfect example of a semi-open cenote, where sunlight filters through a small opening at the top, creating magical plays of light.
This translates to a lot of visitors, prepare to queue for your souvenir photo! Coming in the morning is best to avoid the crowds. Besides, there are beautiful stalactites around the water basin. However, the most spectacular beam of light occurs from 11am onwards, which is exactly when people will start flocking in. We preferred to come early to avoid the queue, the choice is yours!
Cenote Suytun is just a few minutes’ drive from the city centre, ideal if you are staying in one of the nice hotels in the Pueblo Magico of Valladolid.
SUYTUN CENOTE TICKET COST: 150 pesos.
9. CENOTE X’KEKEN – DZITNUP
Still near Valladolid is X’keken Cenote, also known as Dzitnup for the name of the village.
X’keken is another semi-open cenote, a cave with large stalactites and clear water. Thanks to the light that filters from above, the water takes on shades of turquoise and creates beautiful reflections.
A ticket for X’keken also includes access to nearby Samula Cenote, larger and less spectacular than the former. However, a visit to the latter could be more pleasant as it is less crowded.
Taxis or collectivos can take you to Dzitnup from Valladolid for less than 100 pesos, or you can join one of the several guided tours to visit Valladolid plus one of its cenotes.
TICKET COST X’KEKEN – DZITNUP: 225 pesos (includes 2 cenotes and life jackets).
CENOTES IN YUCATAN – CLOSE TO MERIDA
Moving further north-west into the vast Yucatan peninsula, we get to the capital Merida, the cultural centre of the region. About 40 km from Merida is the Anillo de Cenotes, a huge semicircular nature reserve in which dozens of cenotes can be found.
These cenotes are less frequented, less commercial, and also less expensive than the previous ones.
10. CENOTE YAXBACALTUN
You are truly spoilt for choice around the Anillo de Cenotes. We moved by rental car (search for cars in Yucatan here) from one cenote to the next, looking for deserted ones that inspired us most judging by the photos on Google Maps.
The first stop was Yaxbacaltun, a very wild open-air cenote. A steep ladder takes you into the spherical cenote, where you can swim all around the central platform.
You can hear and see bats and birds, the water is not very clear due to the green algae and other marine plants. But after mustering the courage we couldn’t resist swinging from the rope like Tarzan!
The water is regenerating, the area is very rustic and quiet, an authentic experience that we highly recommend.
YAXBACALTUN CENOTE TICKET COST: 50 pesos per head.
11. CENOTE CANUNCHEN
We then moved on to Cenote Canunchen, a large underground cave lit both artificially and naturally from an opening at the top.
Unfortunately we found the cenote crowded and didn’t stay long. However the area is quite large and you can find your own space for a swim. There’s also a rope for acrobatic diving, and a swimming pool with slides for children in the outdoor area.
Canunchen seems to be a popular spot for big groups of local Mexicans, with a few shops and restaurants on site. It’d be ideal for spending half a day with your family in this area of Yucatan.
As with all areas in the Anillo de Cenotes, it takes a few minutes by car or collectivo to get from one cenote to another. Homun is the name of the nearby town of reference for the cenotes of the reserve.
CENOTE CANUNCHEN TICKET COST: 50 pesos.
12. CENOTE HOOL KOSOM
Finally we have Cenote Hool Kosom, a beautiful semi-open cenote, perfect for evocative photos. It vaguely reminded us of Suytun, with its beam of light illuminating the centre of the cenote.
Nevertheless Hool Kosom is less expensive and less frequented, an excellent alternative if you want to take that memorable souvenir photo.
After going down the steep staircase, you come to a small platform to enter the water. At the ticket booth we were not told anything, but once inside a tour guide “forced” us to wear life jackets, perhaps to set an example in front of the other visitors.
Anyway, the water in Hool Kosom is shallower than in other cenotes, and its dimensions are smaller too. Swimming in the cenote to reach the beam of light is wonderful! We recommend to spend around an hour at Hool Kosom, keep an eye out for any buses in the car park.
HOOL KOSOM TICKET COST: 60 pesos, no life jacket, but we suspect it may become mandatory here too soon.
CENOTES IN YUCATAN F.A.Q.
Below you can find the answers to the questions we usually receive about how to visit cenotes in Yucatan and Mexico.
WHEN AND HOW TO VISIT CENOTES?
In order to appreciate the sunlight illuminating the scene, it’s advisable to visit cenotes between 10am and 2pm. This is both the warmest and best time for light, and is thus the busiest of the day. But remember, there are so many cenotes around Yucatan that if you have patience and determination you can find the least crowded ones.
Our suggestion, if you travel by car or local taxi/tuk-tuk, is to decide depending on how crowded the car park looks, whether to stop or skip the cenote.
This is especially true in areas like Coba or Merida, where several cenotes arise within a few kilometres. However, if you are traveling in an organized group or find a cenote full of people, be patient and look for the least crowded corner in the cave.
Many tourists are not expert swimmers and tend to stop at the edge of the stairs, but most cenotes are large and spacious. Usually visitors spend not more than an hour per cenote, because in the absence of sun the cold temperature of the water becomes a factor soon. Bring a towel and a change of dry clothes.
IS IT SAFE TO SWIM IN THE CENOTES?
The water inside the cenotes is cold and incredibly clear. This is because rainwater falls and slowly filters through the rocks underground, remaining free of impurities.
Being underground springs often hidden from the sun, the water temperature is between 20-25°C. At first glance it is very cold compared to the heat on the surface, but a swim in a cenote is truly a blessing after a day spent exploring the Mayan ruins in Yucatan. However, we recommend entering the water gradually if you are feeling particularly hot.
You can find some small fish and marine plants in the cenotes waters, as well as bats hidden in the upper part of the caves. Some darker areas may be less inviting, but most caves are well lit and safe. A hydrometer monitors the level of cleanliness or impurity of the water, to ensure safe swimming in the cenotes.
RULES INSIDE CENOTES IN YUCATAN
Always respect the signs that tell you where to swim and not to swim. The perfectly transparent water can deceive the perception of depth, make sure to check the distance of the rocks under water before diving.
In some cases you may be asked to wear a life jacket, but each cenote has different rules depending on the location (and the mood of whoever you find at the entrance). They may ask you whether you know how to swim or not, require you to use a life jacket, make you sign a waiver to swim without one, or tell you nothing. Each of these things has happened to us!
Generally, if there are guided tours and many people, they tend to be more strict and enforce the use of life jackets (probably to avoid risking fines). While if you are alone they will be more relaxed.
For some cenotes it is required to shower before accessing, to eliminate lotions, sweat and skin impurities that can harm the ecosystem. This makes sense and should be required everywhere, but some cenotes have no showers. We recommend taking a shower and using biodegradable sunscreen, both in the cenotes and at the seaside (reef-friendly products).
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ACCESS CENOTES?
To access standard cenotes you have to pay a cheap ticket which generally costs between 50 and 150 pesos, or €3-6. However, be mindful at cenotes in very touristy areas, where the mandatory fee to pay for life jackets and parking has been incorporated into the entry price, bringing the cost sometimes beyond 250-300 pesos per person (€15).
Occasionally there are different prices for Mexicans nationals and foreigners.
A cenote represents a good source of income for the locals, who work by these areas with small shops, managing the toilets, showers and changing rooms for a few pesos. By the car park you’ll find the ticket kiosk and access point, payment is always in cash.
HOTELS – WHERE TO STAY IN YUCATAN AND QUINTANA ROO
- Sofia Boutique Condos: large modern rooms with kitchen, rooftop pool in Playa del Carmen
- Motto by Hilton: inland in Tulum, a less expensive alternative to the fancy Riviera Maya resorts
- Casa Lool Beh: a nice inexpensive guesthouse in Merida with friendly owners, great for a couple of nights stay in town
- Hotel Valladolid: a comfy 3-star hotel in the heart of Valladolid, by the central square
HOW TO REACH THE CENOTES IN YUCATAN
- Regular buses such as ADO, ETN, Primera Plus. Book buses in Mexico here.
- Bus collectivos, the minibuses used by locals;
- Taxi or Uber/DiDi;
- Car rental: a car is fundamental if you want to travel the vast Yucatán peninsula independently. There are some car rentals at the airport in Cancun, others in the city. Be careful of hidden costs and required deposits. We booked on site for around €30 per day. If you want to book online, carefully evaluate the reviews before booking. See options for renting a car in Mexico here;
- Organized tours: if you don’t rent a car, tours are essential for getting around and visiting the most famous destinations in Yucatán. We suggest this tour to Chichén Itzá and this excursion to Tulum and two cenotes.
ONLINE IDP – INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT
We recommend getting an International Driving Permit online if you’re planning to drive a vehicle abroad. The International Drivers Association offers a reliable online service that allows to get a digital+physical licence even if you’re already travelling, valid and accepted in 150+ countries worldwide.
More info on the official website (use code IDAAMILLIONTRAVELS10 for 10% off).
Here you can compare car rental prices in the country you are travelling.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We never leave home without a reliable travel insurance. Better safe than sorry.
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